Apple is pushing for new Web addresses that would end with ".apple" to compete with the traditional '.com' domain names.

".Apple" is one of nearly 2,000 potential domain suffixes that has been proposed with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. The proposed names were announced on Wednesday at a conference in London, according to the Associated Press.

There are currently about 300 domain suffixes in use, with the most common of them being ".com," ".net," and ".org." The new proposals would be the largest expansion of the online address system.

Apple is not alone in looking for a corporate brand name suffix. Sony and American Express are said to be among the other companies that want a new domain associated with their brands.

How did AI discern that Apple is "pushing for new Web addresses that would end with ".apple" to compete with the traditional '.com'"? All they're doing is buying a top level domain name - I doubt they'll use apple.apple as their new web address. More likely they would use it as an internal corporate domain and perhaps for use in some marketing campaigns.

How did AI discern that Apple is "pushing for new Web addresses that would end with ".apple" to compete with the traditional '.com'"? All they're doing is buying a top level domain name - I doubt they'll use apple.apple as their new web address. More likely they would use it as an internal corporate domain and perhaps for use in some marketing campaigns.

If they bought .apple then the main page could just be home.apple. They could have mac.apple, macbookpro.apple, iphone.apple, etc. anything that doesn't resolve to a known name could auto default to home.apple.

I think it be good to also buy .app instead. You could then have every app look like the OS X file name and they'd have a more powerful mental association with the word app. That said, I hope no top level domain gets owned this way.

This bot has been removed from circulation due to a malfunctioning morality chip.

I think all TLDs should be eliminated, except for those that have an actual meaning that is enforced, e.g. .gov or .edu. All of the rest just seem like a scheme to make money for the registrars, because people think they have to register multiple variations of their domain name to avoid confusion.

I agree too. Just seems like someone said, "How can we generate more income streams?" It feels like it will be a big confusing mess for the end user. Perhaps the lack of interest by the consumer will kill it? I have a hard enough time explaining to people what a subdomain is, I can't imagine the problems grandmas and children will have with all of the mistaken porn sites they will end up on.

If they bought .apple then the main page could just be home.apple. They could have mac.apple, macbookpro.apple, iphone.apple, etc. anything that doesn't resolve to a known name could auto default to home.apple.
I think it be good to also buy .app instead. You could then have every app look like the OS X file name and they'd have a more powerful mental association with the word app. That said, I hope no top level domain gets owned this way.

They don't buy it or own it. If the domain suffix is approved it gets assigned to a registrar and then anyone should be able to register domains with that suffix. For example Google.apple

There are restrictions on some suffixes such as .mil .gov .edu so .apple could potentially be restricted to Apple, Inc. but that would set an entirely new precedence.

P.S. OH GREAT. The reply feature doesn't work properly with DP4. Can't wait for Mountain Lion to come out and everyone here to have a WORSE posting experience.
… Where're the emotions? I can't even get to our one working emoticon to end that line…

Aren't you one of the bosses around here? "Global Moderators" don't get any say in the system that's used?

Seriously, I'm fine with this idea. I think companies that use it will end up with both a custom suffix as well as the usual .com. So this probably won't make a bit of difference to the average web user.

Why's that? (I know nothing of this stuff)
Sounds like this is perfect for preventing fraud. You KNOW you're going to Amazon because the site ends in .amazon. You know you're going to Apple because the site ends in .apple, etc.
P.S. OH GREAT. The reply feature doesn't work properly with DP4. Can't wait for Mountain Lion to come out and everyone here to have a WORSE posting experience.
… Where're the emotions? I can't even get to our one working emoticon to end that line…

The fraud angle is a good one.

From Apple ][ - to new Mac Pro I've owned them all.Long on AAPL so biased"Google doesn't sell you anything, Google just sells you!"

Seriously, I'm fine with this idea. I think companies that use it will end up with both a custom suffix as well as the usual .com. So this probably won't make a bit of difference to the average web user.

Except average web users are always screwing up things like putting www in front of everything for example www. support. apple. com

I have to smile though ... It's amazing how many out there don't even understand the current nomenclature or even what a URL is. I just had to create a small web site for an HOA. I gave the printed address to a board member who didn't know his email address. He came back the next day and said it didn't work. I said it sure did what did he do? "Well we tried it in Microsoft, AOL and Google ..." Came the reply.

I can top that ... (sorry off topic but should make you all fall on the floor ...) Another one said "Oh you know something about iPads?" I said yes ... "Look" she says taking out a new iPad and holding the eye sight camera it to her eye like a normal camera and peering 'through it' with the other eye shut ... "The camera doesn't work I can't see anything through here!" She says.Edited by digitalclips - 6/13/12 at 9:30am

From Apple ][ - to new Mac Pro I've owned them all.Long on AAPL so biased"Google doesn't sell you anything, Google just sells you!"

It makes a complete mockery of the classification system. They are basically taking something that is supposed to refer to a whole meta category and instead make it refer to the most specific instance of a sub-category of a category.

1. Only let multi national companies use the .com domain - everyone else must use .uk or .us or whatever country domain

2. Stop companies buying up multiple domains for the same company just so they can have the .com & .co.uk domains

3. More generic domains like .biz .info .local etc - if you have ever tried to start a business and get the domain name for that business is nigh on impossible. You either have to make up a website address that is a load of words stuck together which looks crap or you have dream up some new word. It's ridiculous.

A person asks "what web site do I go to?" The reply is "www.google" they type in www.google.com. No redirect and then web site cannot be displayed page appears. Then allot of complaints and calls and support is saying to non tech savvy people "just type in www.google no .com" they say what. you can imagine the rest. How fun.

Originally Posted by Shaun, UK
2. Stop companies buying up multiple domains for the same company just so they can have the .com & .co.uk domains

That's not going to work for companies that have branding that is strongly tied to the Internet. Lots of companies buy up multiple TLD names because they want to protect their brand name - something they have the right to do from counterfeiters or people who wish to use their name for harm. Since anybody anywhere can register a domain name, its often impractical to do anything except take a preventative measure.

Why's that? (I know nothing of this stuff)
Sounds like this is perfect for preventing fraud. You KNOW you're going to Amazon because the site ends in .amazon. You know you're going to Apple because the site ends in .apple, etc.
P.S. OH GREAT. The reply feature doesn't work properly with DP4. Can't wait for Mountain Lion to come out and everyone here to have a WORSE posting experience.
… Where're the emotions? I can't even get to our one working emoticon to end that line…

If only that were the case... Visiting apple.apple is no more certain than visiting apple.com. If you go to apple.com now, you "know" you're going to Apple. More TLDs would be just as susceptible to DNS poisoning as things are now. Not to mention that most people don't pay attention to the web address, they just click on any old link they see.